Burial-case



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) I

' J. H. HEDENBERG.

Patented Apr. 18,1882

BUB IAL CASE.

MI/III II/II u mamas PMlo-Lflhugnplur. Washington. a, c.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet '2.

' J. H. HEDBNBERG.

BURIAL CASE.

No. 255,555. Patented'Apr. 18,1882.

5 I L 4 4- 527225 fi/Wg/W W I j u, PETERS mevum m wmmm. u. c.

PATENTFQFFICE;

JACOB H. HEDENBERG, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK&

BURlAL-CASE SPECIFICATION" formingpart of Letters .Patent'No; 256,565,dated April 18, 1882;";

' Application ,filedJanuaryQfi, 188 2.v (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be itknown thatlI, J noon H. HEDENBERG, ofBrooklyu,-county of'Kings, andState of New York, have .invented certain. new and useful ImprovementsiuBurial-Gases, 8m, of. which the following is afull, clear, and exactdescription, reference beinghadlto the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked. thereon.

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class ofburial-cases, coffins, or caskets with a top, sides, and ends so hingedas to be let down to fully expose the corpse on the bottom or base boardof the casket.

The object of my improvement is to produce a burial-case or coffin whichshall be simple in the construction and arrangement of the severalparts, affording more facility in the matter of properly arranging andrestingthe corpse, and increased convenience in packing the cases forshipment before use.

My invention therefore consists in providing a back support, againstwhich the corpse is supported when the sides are dropped down, and incertain novel and useful arrangements or combinations of parts, all ofwhich will be herein first fully described, and then pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a burialcase having curved or rounded end pieces, showing the application ofhandles to the structure, and the whole being constructed in accordancewith my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bottom piece, the sidesand top being hinged thereto and thrown back, so as to lie flat, and thecurved end pieces being entirely detached. Fig. 3 is a horizontalsection, and Fig. 4. an elevation, showing the form and construction ofthe separable curved end pieces. Fig. 5 is a perspective view, showingthe bottom of sofa or couch mounted upon an appropriate foundation andready to receive the corpse, the sjdgs. and tpp being thrown back andthe end pieces removed. Fig. 6 is 'a cross-section of the coffin closed,and Fig. 7 a similar View of the same opened, the coffin being mountedupon a' stand, and the sofa-back shown connected with the bottom boardindependently of the hinged back piece. Fig. 8 is a perspective view ofaburialcase designed to be employed when the body or corpse is disposedupon its side Fig; 9 is a cross-section ofthe case shown in- Fig; 8, theparts being closed and mounted upon a foundation or stand; and Fig. 10isa similar view, showing the several parts removedifrom over the sofa orupholstered bottom.

In all these figures like letters of refere'nce, wherever they 'occur,indicatecorresponding parts.

A represents the bottom board, which is of L course thebase of thecoffinor-casketv structure. Upon this I place :the mattress B,upbolstered in any suitable style, preferably after the manner ofsofas,divans, or lounges, as they aregenerallymade. (Jisthefoundatiomstand,table, or rest, preferably made in form to represent the lower part of asofa or lounge, so that when the bottom board, with its upholstery, isplaced thereon the whole will make in fact a sofa, or lounge, or couch.

To complete the base part of the device any form of back or backs,upholstered or otherwise, may be provided, as at a, and an upholsteredor other pillow or'cushion, b.

When the body is placed upon its side it should be strapped to themattress, as will be readily understood, the straps to be concealed bythe drapery. v

The back a is employed to sustain the body as well as to make up thefinished sofa or couch. It is independent of the back piece of thecoffin, (being rigidly secured upon the bottom part,) and remainsupright when the back piece is lowered.

D is one side of the coflin, hinged to the bottom board. Upon thisishinged the top board, E, and to this last piece the front side, F, ishinged,as mostplainlyshowninFigs.2,6,and7. When the coffin is to beclosed these parts fold together, as shown in Fig. 6, the end pieces, GGr,bein g first mounted upon the bottom board and suitably keyed orotherwise secured in place.

The parts are divided with any convenient number of hooks, looks, orcatches, as d, at suitable points, by which, after being adjusted, theyare held in proper relative positions.

The hinges may be of any suitable pattern, and they might be made so asto admit of the parts being readily detached. When the sofa is exposed,as in Fig. 5, the parts are made to assume the position indicated inFig. 7, whereby they are outof sight at the rearof the couch.

Following the general principles so far indicated, a variety of forms orshapes may be given the casket.

Fig. 8 represents one specially designed for use in cases in which thebody'is placed upon its side, the principal front piece, H, beingprovided with a glass, and connected with the bottom board, A, by anintermediate hinged strip, H.

Instead of having the couch flat, it might be inclined in eitherdirection upon the bottom board. A sliding curtain running upon theinner rods, 0 0, may be employed to conceal the body, when desired.

The top may be provided with a glass panel and a variety of combinationsmade to suit the taste.

The handles I I may be of any pattern. They are preferably made toextend below the bottom board a sufficient distance, so that in carryingthe coffin the strain will be brought upon the bottom board rather thanupon the hinged sides.

The construction suggested in no way interfcres with the use of glasspanels in any part.

Metallic or other decorations may be applied, same as in formerconstructions.

The improvements herein described will be found to admirably answer allthe purposes and objects of the invention before stated.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a burial-casket of the class described, the upholstered base,provided with back piece or support, secured to said base, and themovable side, end, and top pieces, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination of the base, upholstered as explained, the back piecesecured thereon, the hinged sides and top connected therewith, and theend pieces, one of the hinged pieces being inclined at an angle with thebase and provided with a transparent panel, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand inthe presence of two witnesses.

JACOB H. HEDENBERG.

Witnesses:

F. W. HANAFORD, WORTH Oseoon.

